Key stat: 475. Rushing yards by Birmingham of Lake Balboa sophomore RB Milton Knox Jr., who has scored seven TDs. None of his teammates have more than 57 rushing yards or two TDs. Outlook: Birmingham of Lake Balboa last year defeated Hart of Newhall 33-27, a milestone victory – no City Section had previously defeated the high-powered Indians during 17-year coach Mike Herrington’s career. It’s a new year, and most of the faces have changed, but the stench of that defeat has remained with revenge-minded Hart.

Prior to Birmingham’s victory last year, the Indians were 10-0 against City opponents during the Herrington era – and all of the wins were by 13 or more points.

The big question for Hart is whether QB Tyler Lyon will return. The 6-foot-6 senior is questionable after sitting out last week’s game with a separated shoulder, although he’s practiced this week. Alex Pettee replaced him and passed for 177 yards and two TDs in a 38-7 victory over Westlake.

GAMES OF THE WEEK

ST. BONAVENTURE (4-0) at No. 7 CRESPI (2-1)

7:30 p.m.

Key stat: 3. This is the third and final matchup this season involving defending Southern Section champions. Long Beach Poly (Div. I) defeated Centennial of Corona (Div. V), and Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (Div. XI) beat Grace Brethren of Simi Valley (Div. XII).

The closest game during the Seraphs’ run has been a 29-27 victory last season over Crespi. St. Bonaventure, led by junior RB Michael Lee (533 yards, seven TDs) and senior QB Matt Evans (544 passing yards, five TDs), has won 85 of its past 88 games.

Crespi will be without senior OL Sione Fua, who is sidelined at least a week with a right ankle injury. Without Fua, the Celts still have the skill players to compete with St. Bonaventure, led by QB Matt Wabby (640 passing yards, seven TDs) and RB Josh Morgan (489 yards, five TDs).

Outlook: The history of this rivalry has diminished in the past two years with the departures of longtime coaches Brent Newcomb, who retired after the 2003 season following 34 years at Antelope Valley, and Steve Grady, who retired after the 2004 season following 29 years at Loyola of Los Angeles. Nonetheless, the rivalry remains fierce.

Both programs are off to a good starts, although Loyola has faced only one significant challenge, winning a 28-13 victory over City Section contender Venice in Week 2. Cubs senior RB Chad Peppars leads the Cubs’ offense. Peppars has rushed for 272 yards on just 32 carries (8.5-yard average) and five touchdowns.

Antelope Valley’s defense is among the area’s best, but its offense hasn’t found its stride despite the presence of big-play threats RB Andre Chrenshaw, WR D’Andre Goodwin and WR/TE Randy Burton.

The Antelopes will be without leading tackler Allan Mohan, a senior LB who was suspended after receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in last week’s 14-0 victory over Silverado of Victorville.

OTHER GAMES

No. 1 NOTRE DAME (3-0)

vs. SAUGUS (2-1)

College of the Canyons, 7:30 p.m.

Outlook:This is the second of five consecutive tough games for Saugus, which rolled past two soft opponents before a one-sided loss at Chino last week.

Saugus’ Zach Summers has passed for 408 yards (66 percent) and four TDs, including two long TDs to TE Alex Koval last week, and scored three TDs. Ryan Purdy, a stocky 5-5 RB, has rushed for 229 yards (11.5 avg.) and five TDs.

Key stat

10Touchdowns scored by Notre Dame senior RB Rodney Glass. He has scored four in each of the past two games and is one of four area players with 60 points.

ST. JOHN BOSCO (2-1)

at No. 2 VALENCIA (3-0)

7 p.m.

Outlook: St. John Bosco of Bellflower will try to slow down Valencia, which is averaging 44.6 points and an area-best 517 yards per game – although starters have been pulled in the second half of the first three games.

Valencia QB Michael Herrick, who’s closing in on the state career passing yardage record, has completed 63 percent of his passes for 945 yards and five TDs. RB Shane Vereen has rushed for 380 yards (11.9 avg.) with a team-best 13 receptions and 10 TDs. He’s had several breakaways of 50 yards or longer.

St. John Bosco, coming off a 34-7 victory over Fullerton, has some talented players, including DL Erich Kelmme, a 6-3, 230-pounder who has 30 tackles, four sacks and a fumble recovery. Andrew Aguila, who kicked 16 field goals last year, has seven field goals and averages 42.8 yards per punt.

Outlook: This is a matchup of the past two Southern Section Div. XII champions, now rivals in the Div. XI Olympic League. Grace Brethren of Simi Valley has played the toughest nonleague schedule of any area small school, suffering early losses to Oaks Christian of Westlake Village and Oak Park, the top two teams in Div. XI. Village Christian of Sun Valley RB Chris Handy is third in the area with 536 rushing yards.

Key stat

6Consecutive first-half possessions resulting in touchdowns for Village Christian in a 54-7 victory Saturday over St. Genevieve of Panorama City. Tito Spilsbury also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD.

No. 15 LANCASTER (3-1)

at QUARTZ HILL (2-1)

7 p.m.

Outlook: It’s never too early to talk playoff implications, and this game is loaded with them. Quartz Hill has finished fourth in the Golden League each of the past two seasons and needs a win over one of the top three teams (Lancaster, Antelope Valley or Palmdale) to jump up a spot and earn a playoff berth.

Lancaster has league title aspirations after finishing second last year to Palmdale. The Eagles are the most consistent team in the area. Senior RBs Josh Gaines (303 yards rushing, 2 TDs) and Tony Jackson (333 yards, 5 TDs) make a potent one-two punch in the backfield.

Key stat

25Points allowed by Lancaster in the three games since its 28-14 loss to Orange Lutheran on Sept. 3.

CRESCENTA VALLEY (0-3)

at LA CANADA (3-0)

7 p.m.

Outlook: The records might not indicate this will be much of a game, but with any rivalry, the wins and losses get discarded. Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta is coming off a 20-14 loss to Verdugo Hills of Tujunga, resulting in an 0-3 start for the second year in a row. The Falcons turned things around last year with a 42-17 victory over the Spartans en route to winning five of their final eight. A victory here might propel La Canada to a 10-0 regular season.

Key stat

11Consecutive losses by La Canada to Crescenta Valley in the annual intercity rivalry.

Note: the bottom 3 games are on the verge of being canceled because of the fires or fire-related air quality. When Erik comes back around 6 p.m., he’ll make a final determination on what’s going on. But the rest of the caps are ready to go. Thanks.